Baltimore mulls Formstone ban for new construction

Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

BALTIMORE (AP) -

Baltimore is considering banning new construction that uses Formstone, the fake stone that covers block after block of rowhomes across the city.

And that has some questioning the move, including film director John Waters, who once called it the "polyester of brick." Formstone mason Robert Ibex says it is part of the city's legacy along with marble steps and painted screens.

The faux stone facades carved out of colored concrete would be banned for new construction if an overhaul of the city's zoning code is passed as introduced in October.

Waters told The Baltimore Sun the proposal is ludicrous. The off-beat film director says he thought the fake facades were ready for a comeback, describing them as positively postmodern.

Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.